On Saturday, lovers of America’s Pastime can travel back in time to an era before televised games and multimillion-dollar contracts, when players fielded line drives with their bare hands and the term “base ball” consisted of two words, not one.

The annual Vintage Base Ball Game, played at Roger Maestas Field in Manitou Springs, will pit the Manitou Springers against Star BBC of the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association. Admission is free.

“It’s basically the same game, but it’s based on 1864 baseball rules, which are quite different than the game you see today,” said Mike Maio, board president of the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum.

Under 19th-century rules, the ball is pitched underhand and when it is in play, the players field it without gloves. If the ball is caught after a single bounce, it’s an out. Runners are not allowed to take a lead on the base paths and base stealing is not allowed.

“Each time a run is scored, the runner is required to ring a bell,” Maio explained. “If the player fails to ring the bell, he is called out.”

When the annual game was first established a few years ago, the results were lopsided in favor of the CVBBA team, Maio said.

“The first couple of years, they just trounced us,” he said. “They were really good, they had experienced ballplayers, and they were more familiar with the rules.”

In recent years, however, the Springers have turned the tables, winning the last two games handily.

“We might have brought in a couple of ringers,” Maio said, laughing.

This year, the game will feature concessions, including Heritage Museum merchandise like ball caps (with the Manitou Mineral Water logo) and collapsible drinking cups.

“It’s a fun time,” Maio said. “It’s a way to highlight the Heritage Museum, but it’s also just a fun family event.”

First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.